2015 Class List and Teachers (in alphabetical order)

Downloadable/printable version of the class list.

Brenda - Tin Whistle

Beginning Tin Whistle (1) Have you ever wanted to learn an instrument? The tin whistle is an excellent choice for beginners—no muscles or yogic poses required! And you can always take it camping; it fits right in with the tent poles. Then there's the sound: like a bird on a mist-covered mountain. Learn how to hold it, how to make beautiful sounds, brands of whistles available (and their merits), great resources for continued learning, and a simple tune. You'll begin educating your ear to hear distinctions in sounds, and you'll learn a few tricks on how and where to add these distinctions to music by playing that simple tune together.

Brogan - Ukulele

Beginning Ukulele Level 1 - The Basics (1) Introduction to the ukulele starts from the beginning. We start with how to hold and tune the instrument. Learn some fundamentals from the ground up in a patient and fun environment. What is taught: 3 chords, 2 strums, 2 ukulele tricks, 3 songs. This workshop assumes no experience with the ukulele. Songs will have 1-3 chords. Beginning Ukulele Level 2 - Strum Class - Barely Beyond Beginner (2) Are you feeling fairly secure with 6 chords and a down strum, yet feeling bored with your playing? Learn to use the ukulele as your rhythm section, and become the backbone in your band of one, or more! We start with the utilitarian double strum and learn to distinguish the difference between straight and swing “feel.” Add strategic accents: damping, chucking or scratching, rolls and triplets - suddenly you are playing a bossa beat or swing, or rock or folk. The songs in this workshop will have 3-4 chords.Ukulele Chord Inversions 101 or Geek Out with Brogan (2-3) (Intermediate) Learn to play common chords in other positions on the fret board. Give yourself a new musical horizon. If you can change between a handful of "open" chords (C, F, B flat, (yes, I said B flat), D7, & G7) without hesitation, and you are willing to play bar chords, this is the next thing to learn about. I will show you how to recognize chord "shapes,” chew on a bit of chord theory, and be off to your next musical horizon. The ideas will be applied to two-chord songs and reinforced with lots of in-class hands-on practice. Please note: this is an intellectually and physically challenging class.

Cindy - Late-Night Song Circle / Saturday Night dance

Late-Night Song Circle (1-3) Join Cindy Friday night after the opening session for a song circle in Jessie’s Lodge.Saturday Night Dance Don’t go to bed after the Saturday show! Come dance! No partner needed and everybody welcome.

Coty - Beg Guitar / Song Repertoire

Beginning Guitar(1) Learning an instrument can be frustrating, but the guitar can be extremely gratifying even if you know only a simple strum and a couple of chords. In this class we will start at the very beginning – how to tune and hold the guitar correctly and play basic chords that can be applied to hundreds of songs. This class is for beginners and/or those who need refreshment or encouragement. You can do it!

Repertoire: New Songs You’ll Love (1-3) Fun new songs to sing and play. There are many great songs being written that most people may not know about. In this song repertoire class, we will be focusing on songs written in this millennium that will work well in acoustic jam situations or for your own enjoyment. Come to sing, or bring an instrument and come to sing and play!

Crystal - Int. Violin / Int. Mandolin

Intermediate Violin Class (2-3) This
workshop is designed for those who have played fiddle for a while and have some
basic reading skills. We will play some favorite Irish tunes and I will show
you how to play some of those fabulous turns and trills. Notation will be provided. Right and left hand technique will be
included so you can make a better sound and play in tune. We will collaborate with other workshops on
some of the tunes. We are all excited to
create a mini instrumental band, joining with guitar, accordion and bass.Intermediate Mandolin (2-3) We will be playing some simple tunes and chords.
The notation and Tab will be featuringfavorite
Irish tunes that you can also play with your friends who play fiddle. Notation and Tab are provided and several
ways to approach chording will enhance your playing. If it works in your schedule, you are also
invited to join the collaboration with other workshop leaders and participants
as part of our mini instrumental band.

Janet - Intermediate Bass

Intermediate Bass(2-3) So you've learned the basics, now we will get grounded with bass, the heartbeat of the song, the driver of the rhythm. We will focus on rhythm, good techniques to further your playing and just plain fun. We will learn a few tunes and play with the guitar, fiddle, and accordion class to keep them well-grounded.

Janet / Kathleen / Nova - Be in a Band

Be in a Band (1-3) Here’s your chance to play in a real live band! We will create bands from whoever comes . . . we’ll put together a tune and have fun. All instruments, all levels of players and singers are welcome.

Kathleen - Guitar

Celtic Guitar Back-up (2-3)Want to have fun playing in a great Celtic band? We'll learn the guitar chords and strums and then join with the fiddles, accordions, and basses to make a happening Celtic band! Bar chords optional; it'll be fun.

Laura Silverstein - Guitar

Bluesy Licks and Leads (2-3) In this session you'll learn to improvise cool guitar leads using major and minor pentatonic scales. Each of us will learn to switch back and forth from accompaniment to lead so everyone will have the opportunity to play both backup and solo. You'll be makin' the guitar cry and sing when you play and sing along with "Death Don't Have No Mercy" and "Baby What You Want Me to Do?"

Arranging Solo Guitar Tunes (3) Would you like to learn to arrange and play some guitar instrumentals? What are some tricks of the trade? Instead of using tablature, we'll use the "Hunt and Pick" :-) method so that you can learn to "finger out" some tunes on your own. We'll start with some guitar-friendly tunes like "Old MacDonald," "Red River Valley," and "Mad World," and learn things to look for when choosing a key for the tune. We may begin with a little review on how to transpose from key to key

Laura Smith - Banjo / Harmony Singing

Beginning Clawhammer Banjo (1) With clawhammer banjo you only need one pattern for your right hand, and you’ll be off and running! We’ll work on the basic techniques for both hands and get you started with this wonderful instrument! I’ll bring a couple of extra banjos.Harmony Singing (2-3) Do you love singing melody but are unsure how to find a harmony? We’ll learn how to find a harmony above the melody line and one below and use a song or two to practice these skills. Open to all who can sing a melody.

Linda W. - Guitar / Songwriting

Acoustic Rock Guitar (2-3) Yeah, sisters!! I’m bringing a few rock classics (mostly by women !) and we’ll use these to learn how to make an acoustic guitar approximate a rock band. Your right hand will be strumming, and there will be a lot of barre chords, so, level 3, or level 2 if you’re ready to take the corners on two wheels.Duet Harmony (2-3) Sometimes harmony is just two melodies that fit together. One of those melodies is the one we recognize as “the song.” The other one is the one you’re making up ! Try it out loud – take chances – be amazed and try to remember what you did, and just laugh at the “mistakes.” (There are no mistakes.)

Debbie - All-Camp Choir

All-Camp Choir (1-3) Once a year, the most amazing choir assembles for 45 minutes to lift their voices and celebrate in song. We sing, play, move, listen, blend, laugh and love. Are you ready to join the magic?Singing Classes - Description on the way

Marie - Singing

Song Seeds (1-3) Do you write tunes, but can’t find the words? Do you write words but need help to find your melodies? Have you got ideas but just haven’t written anything recently? Are you longing to write a song, but just never put pen to paper long enough? In this session we’re going to do a couple of writing exercises to jump-start lyric writing. Guaranteed, you’ll end the session with a song-seed planted!Songwriting: Good Song to Great Song (1-3) Songwriting is not just the magic and rush of the new idea, but also the time spent in crafting a pretty good song into a great song. In this class, we'll work together on songs that have gotten stuck between inspiration and completion. We'll examine how well your initial songwriting choices are working in a number of areas common to most songs, melody, lyric, structure, and groove. Participants in this workshop class should come prepared with some songs or song fragments that they want to craft and are willing to share.Shy Singers (1-3) Do you love to sing in the shower when no one is home? Do you find yourself silently humming your favorite song while in the company of others? Do you long to belt out a tune without the fear of others staring at you? If so, then it's time to explore why we currently choose silence over song. In this session we will write, share, laugh, create, find our voice and sing with strength. It's time we celebrate our voice!

MyLinda - Marimba

Beginning Marimba (1) Learn a nice easy traditional song from Zimbabwe called Ndangariro, which means to remember the past in a way that serves the present. This piece has a stately pace and some fun 2 vs. 3 polyrhythms but most of the parts are very easy for the first-timer. Intermediate Marimba (2-3) Chikende is a very "upbeat" and lively song that every Zimbabwean, young and old, knows. In this version there is some fun interplay between the sopranos and lower marimbas. We will also learn an easy call and response vocal. One drummer is required. Shona Singing (1-3) Gandanga was sung by villagers during Zimbabwe's 10-year liberation war to send messages to the freedom fighters embedded in their midst. Like most African songs there is an alternation of call and response that slightly overlaps. Each layer can bloom into beautiful harmonies, so no matter what your range there is a part just right for you.

Nan - Harmonica

Beginning Harmonica (1) Let’s play! In this workshop you’ll learn how to hold the harmonica, get vibrato, and even how to get that elusive single note. We’ll play some tunes and have a great time with this accessible, portable little instrument.Beyond Beginning Harmonica (2) Do you already know how to hold a harmonica? Have you taken the beginning class and tried to play single notes? Then Beyond Beginning is for you! This class will explore different harmonica techniques such as adding chords to a melody, block-tongue style playing, and of course, bending notes for that famous moaning blues sound. You will need G and C harmonicas (Nan will have a few of both keys for sale and a few G loaners). We will pair up to try rhythm and blues-style cross harp. Come have a blast and stretch a bit with your cool little harp pal.

Nancy - Yoga

Yoga for Relaxation/StretchingYoga classes will be offered during Saturday free time. Designed for those who may be hesitant to do yoga because of past injury or stiffness. Poses are modified to be accessible to all. Yoga is a practice of poses or postures that increase flexibility, strength, and inner peace. This class will include Restorative Yoga which are poses designed for relaxation, poses with no effort! These poses restore and regulate your nervous system.

Nova - Accordion / Music Theory / Be in a Band

Accordion: Beyond the Basics with a Celtic Lilt! (2-3) You know the chords on the left hand and understand bellows phrasing, so let's learn some accompaniment and possibly a melody for a Celtic tune. Then we'll join up with the fiddle, bass and guitar classes to create a band! Music Theory: What the heck is this theory stuff and why would I want to know? (1-3) Find out where the "one, four and five" chords come from, how a scale can change your life, and how this knowledge will allow you to use your brain as a capo! Bring any instrument (including voice) to help make sense out of nonsense, and to squeeze fun out of the fundamental. Be in a Band (1-3) With Janet and Kathleen, see above

Rebecca - Bass

Low-end Bassics: from 0-25 in 1:15! (1) You know that joke about the bass student canceling her 3rd lesson because she got a gig? The truth is that you don’t need to have 2 lessons under your belt. You’ll meet the upright bass, learn how to hold and handle it, and feel its mighty vibrations as you learn how to hold down the bottom end. Bring an upright bass if you can – acoustic bass guitar will do in a pinch (but we’re not set up for electrics). A couple of loaners will be available.

Robin - Beg Mandolin

pictured on the left

Beginning Mandolin (1) Get to know this versatile little instrument from a true beginner's place. We'll start with the basics - how to hold and use the pick, a few scales and easy chords - and apply them to a familiar melody.

Shelly and Linda R. - Singing

Spaced Out Songs! (1-3) "Up, Up and Away" with our beautiful selection of Spaced Out Songs! This is no ordinary song circle, but one that will take you along Moon River and back. There are plenty of spirituals, ballads, show tunes and folks songs about planets, skies, heavens and other things out in space. Don't know the words? Fear not, we'll have a songbook. Or heck, we'll make up some new lyrics to a familiar tune! Instruments welcome as well!

Tissi - Drumming

West African Drumming Basics (1) In this class we will play the Djembe and the Djun Djuns. These are the instruments played in Guinea, West Africa. We will spend time learning proper hand techniques to produce the three basic sounds from the Djembe. We will also learn how the bass drums along with the djembe create beautiful conversations with each other. This class will be taught at a beginning level. If you have more experience on the drum you’re welcome to come, and more difficult and challenging parts will be given to you. Cuban Cahon and Bell Basics (1-3) The Cahon is wooden box that can produce the same three basic sounds that other hand drums can make. In this class we will learn hand techniques and hand patterns. PLUS we will incorporate the beautiful cow bell and other bells to this class with my lovely assistant Shelly and her amazing red cow bell. The class will learn to play two rhythms: African and Samba. There will be Cahon drums available to use and for sale, hand made by Tississat.